More Indonesian workers to be deported

More Indonesian workers to be deported

NUNUKAN, East Kalimantan: Thousands of illegal Indonesian workers in the Malaysian state of Sabah are expected to enter Nunukan regency, East Kalimantan, following the repatriation of 28,000 workers to the area earlier this year.

Nunukan Regent Kasmir Forets said on Monday his administration had formed a task force to handle the influx following the Malaysian government's announcement of the July 31 deadline for the Indonesian workers' deportation.

According to data from the Indonesian Consulate General in Kinabalu, Sabah, the number of illegal Indonesian immigrants in east Malaysia (Sabah and Serawak) is 700,000.

To ensure a smooth deportation process, the regency is coordinating with the Sabah government and the Consulate General to receive a daily arrival of 200 workers.

"Over the long term, Nunukan will cooperate with prospective workers' regions of origin, which are South Sulawesi, East Java, Central Java and East Nusa Tenggara," the regent said. --Antara